The causeway was built in 1963 (the island was previously only accessible via ferry) and the city of Sanibel was formed in 1974. McCarthy's Marina, Captiva Vessels up to 24 feet (239) 472-5200 Port Sanibel Marina, Sanibel Vessels up to 65 feet (239) 437-1660 portsanibelmarina.com. As far as recommendations on where to stay on each island: On Captiva: South Seas Island Resort or Tween Waters Island Resort, On Sanibel: Casa Ybel Resort, Tortuga Beach Club Resort, the Inns of Sanibel, Sanibel Restaurant Recommendations: What I Liked & What I Didnt, Shopping on Sanibel: A Must Visit Bookstore & Cute Boutiques, A Visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Cayo Costa Shelling Tours with Captiva Cruises, Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Luminary Hotel & Co in Downtown Fort Myers Review, Matlacha Isles & Pine Island: A Great Fort Myers Day Trips. Sanibel Island might be better for you if youre looking for active family vacations, great shelling beaches, more shopping and dining amenities, being closer to nature preserves and off-island driving adventures to Fort Myers and beyond to the Everglades or Charlotte Harbor. Once you visit, its easy to see what we mean when we call them twins. With its soft beaches and Florida charm, Captiva Island is a great relaxation spot with superb dining. Sometimes they are even joined when the narrow waterway of Blind Pass that separates them fills in and the two islands actually connect, though a concerted effort is underway to keep the pass open to improve the health of the bayous on the bay side. Accessing Captiva Beach by the Mucky Duck Restaurant at the end of Andy Rosse Lane is a great option if you are staying nearby. There's a $6 toll to get onto the island. Sanibel beaches are renowned for the shells that wash up every day - it's the top shelling destination in North America and residents and visitors bending over to examine the shells is the source of the posture known as the 'Sanibel Stoop". On the flip side of this is that Captiva allows the use of golf carts on the roads within the village limits during daylight hours only. The water is frequently greenish and less than clear due to fine sediments stirred up by currents / wave action and significant drainage from the land, particularly after a storm. Here are the most noticeable difference between the islands to help you pick your island destination: One of the biggest distinguishing factors between Sanibel and Captiva lies beneath your toes: their sand. Refer to our Privacy Policy for full affiliate terms. With amenities such as bathrooms and showers, picnic tables and playgrounds, youre going to find everything you need for the perfect day at the beach. The only vegetation around is the natural one that grows, which opens up the scenery. Because of the more remote location furthest from the Sanibel Causeway, what few public beaches there are on Captiva Island tend to be much less-crowded compared with the beaches on Sanibel. The Seaside Inn is another laid-back beachfront inn. If you are not stayingat the resort you cannot go onto the grounds or use the facilities. Where to Eat. Many are gulf front and the rates vary greatly. The beaches on Sanibel and Captiva Island are an absolute marvel that millions of people come to see each year. Sanibel vs Captiva? You can rent a kayak here and paddle through mangroves while watching for wading and shore birds and other wildlife. If there is one beach you really need to try, its the Sanibel Island Causeway beaches. Super crowded, but it was spring break after all. Port Sanibel Marina offers marina reservations and fishing charters for you to enjoy after a great time visiting all the beaches we mentioned above! There are more options for 'street legal' carts, but they are not readily available for rent at this time. Here are better explanations: You are paying or the name Naples means Naples is at least twice as expensive as Ft. Myers Beach. On the other hand, the dining on Captiva Island is more eclectic than that on Sanibel Island. Lets see what sets the islands apart and explore some of the best beaches on both islands. The gentle slope of the beach means more spread-out shells. Water on Marco is not constantly clear as mentioned above. This southern half of the island has mostly very upscale homes and notmuch in the way of public facilities. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-91718899', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Florida Keys. The passes at the ends and between the two islands get the attention of adventure beachgoers because of their swift-moving waters. Sanibel is known for its beaches some of the best beaches in southwest Florida but even more so for the millions of shells that wash up on its shores by the hour. The FDOH's fecal indicator bacteria testing results on Dec. 12 suggested low bacterial concentrations and no current advisories. Sanibel is a better choice if you are beachcombing and want to enjoy biking on the bike paths, birdwatching, a d being out in nature in general. Updated 1/2/2021 Captiva Island is one of my favorite islands in the United States. Sanibel's beaches are generally firm and compact, from higher foot traffic. There are great restaurants but no chain places and not much nightlife. Bird watching where you can spot pelicans, ibis. With hundreds of beaches throughout Florida, you may be asking yourself why you should visit these beaches instead of all the others. All SW FL beach towns have the same water clarity issues. Everyone is differentI much prefer Sanibel to Marco by a wide margin, but if you want a more elegant experience with groomed beaches than Marco might be a better fit for you. The beach here is backed by swaying palm trees, and a few benches, ideal for soaking up the scene, are nearby. Dating back to August 1884, the Sanibel Lighthouse is over hundred years old and of historic importance. Best Sanibel Island Vacation Rental with a View - Shorewood Beachfront Penthouse Sanibel Island Condo. Thank you for your responses. Ok Sanibel and Captiva Island, theres enough beach for you to have a great time. The irony of this is, one of the best beaches on Sanibel is located closest to the Causeway. Can you find a nice place to stay? Youll find a few places like Schnappers Hots for hot dogs, lots of ice cream shops, and other casual eateries that are value-friendly. Do You Need a Boating License in Florida? Has the red drift algae been a problem AT ALL on Captiva?? Frequent Islander is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. The first tip we will give you is Gulf-side beaches are the best places to find shells on vacation. Driving Directions Take I-75 South to Fort Myers. Bringing the whole family is a must when you head to Captiva Beach, and there are plenty of beaches and places to stay along those beaches. One of the best spots on Sanibel to go kayaking is the J N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Captiva Road. Right at the southern tip of Captiva Island is Turner Beach. A Saltwater Fishing License is required to saltwater fish from shore. There are places that are perfectly safe for swimming here and its one of the better populated beaches in the area. Sanibel and Captiva are sister islands. Captiva Beach, Captiva Island: See 1,385 reviews, articles, and 733 photos of Captiva Beach, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 10 attractions in Captiva Island. . Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are called sister islands, but there are some obvious differences between them. 0.25 acre lot. Ladyfish - free-lined or cut into chunks is one of the best baits out there and readily available to Sanibel & Captiva Beach Fishermen. However, that doesnt quite hold true. You will find miles of pristine beaches to enjoy, and you can island hop to the north of the beaches, and then go fishing when youre on your way! Don't take this the wrong way, the beaches of Captiva Island are still better for shelling than most places in the entire world, it's just that Sanibel is truly the best there is. Absolutely. Sanibel has all the bells and whistles compared to Captiva. But you will There are submerged structures in the water, and these must be avoided. Which beach is better Sanibel or Captiva? Honestly, I think of Captiva as an extension of Sanibel. While you're likely to find many shells at any of Sanibel's 6 public beaches, a couple that stand out include: Gulfside City Park Beach- This beautiful sandy beach is covered with countless shells to collect. Best Luxury Vacation Rental in Sanibel Island - Captiva Breeze - 4 bedrooms each with own bath. Sanibel Island has more shells, Captiva Island Beaches have better sand. Sanibel and Captiva are connected to Fort Myers on the mainland by only one roadway the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. Captiva Island. Both the Sanibel inn and Seaside inn offer 15% off deals for residents in Florida currently. A popular destination for visitors, Turner Beach is one of the best beaches on Captiva. It does. And we totally get it when youre planning a trip, understanding whats unique about one or the other can be so confusing, especially if youve never been here before. If you are really into fantastic shelling then the obvious choice is Sanibel. On the end of Captiva near Blind Pass Captiva is typically pretty busy but the reast of the 5 miles of beach is some of the quietest you will find. The two Gulf Coast islands would be one were it not for the hurricane in 1921 which cut the island in two. On Sanibel after high tide, it looks as if someone dumped buckets upon buckets of shells on Sanibel. ;-). You can reach Blind Pass by heading to Sanibel's western tip where the gorgeous white sand flanks the channel between Sanibel and Captiva islands. Sanibel is a wonderful overall vacation experience if you like beachcombing and non chain restaurants and nature in general, but the water clarity varies with the tides and winds and currents. The immensity of the sky and the sea together offer vast and breathtaking views in all directions that work together to draw you in. Theyre smaller here, so beautiful to collect! Although you may not be able to climb to the top of the historic Sanibel Lighthouse, you are allowed to visit the surrounding areas for a lighthouse photo-op. Copyright 2023 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes, Check VRBO Availability of Captiva Beachfront Rentals, Top 10 Tricks for Planning a Sanibel Island Vacation on a Budget, What to Look for in a Captiva or Sanibel Island Vacation Rental, The 3 Best Months to Visit Sanibel Island, The Highest Rated Captiva Island House Rentals, The 5 Highest Rated St George Island Beach House Rentals, The 5 Best Anna Maria Island Beachfront House Rentals, The 5 Biggest Florida Keys Beach House Rentals, The 6 Best Amelia Island Vacation Rentals, Top 10 Hidden Caribbean Private Island Rentals, Sanibel Island Tips & Secrets Only a Local Would Know, Complete Guide to Kayaking Sanibel Island. Aside from being larger than Captiva Island, Sanibel Island has more shops, hotels, and sights that keep visitors engaged and excited. To give you an accurate perspective, Sanibel is downright sleepy compared with other southwest Florida towns like Fort Myers, Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs even Punta Gorda. It's a quiet beach, but it's not really the best place for swimming. As waves travel across shallow water they pick up speed and tend to stir up sand and sediment from the ocean floor. Located in the middle of the island, there is more than enough space to enjoy the sunshine or relax in the shade should you want to take a moment to rest. This beach is a popular spot for fishing. Thats a must! Sanibel Island beaches for shelling are known across the country, while Captiva Island beaches are known for their fine sands. When we were at Marco last month, the beaches were pretty. They contain thousands of shells you can find. It is connected to Fort Myers by the Sanibel Causeway Bridge. Elsewhere the beautiful green canopy that was destroyed by Hurricane Charley is getting replaced by trees planted in 2006 and extensive landscaping is once again beautifying Periwinkle Way. The city-island has several banks and shopping centers, even a single-screen movie theatre. Sanibels finest wearing white gloves still move traffic the old fashioned way during peak times. But Captiva is even quieter and less busy than Sanibel, though theres still plenty to do. Sanibel is quiet and peaceful, with a mix of wildlife and nature, shopping and dining, and island homes. Sanibel resident Rachel Pierce and her family were not going to miss the lighting ceremony. You may be looking for hidden gems in Captiva Island, and with the Gulfside City Beach, thats exactly what you will find. Eight Sanibel and Captiva beaches you have to visit include: Bowman's Beach Lighthouse Beach Blind Pass Beach Captiva Beach Turner Beach Gulfside City Park/Algiers Beach Causeway Beach Park Tarpon Bay Beach There is no fee for Florida residents. You can even rent golf carts. But youre going to have to dig around more than youd think and its probably not going to be a bargain. Both are a far cry from the bitter cold winter months further north. Both islands are breathtaking. These barrier islands off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida are inextricably linked because, welltheyre linked. The strong currents that make Blind Pass a . Powerful Send help right to the people and causes you care about. $5 per hour for parking. . Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your Captiva or Sanibel Island shelling experience. The island is a lot smaller than Sanibel (half of its taken up by the South Seas Island Resort), but it feels very much the same. Lighthouse Beach is one of the best places to watch sunset on Sanibel or Captiva because of the lighthouse it makes any sunset pic of Sanibel Instaworthy! Very shelly though, youll need to wear flips flops to take a walk. The best part about Sanibel Island is the quaintness of the inns, such as the Sanibel Inn. Theres also Billys Rentals or Finnimores Beach and Bike Rentals. Handicapped parking is free.Further up Captiva Drive, at the end of the main road on Captiva, there is another public beach adjacent to the entrance of South Seas Resort. If youre not a paddler you can still see a lot of the refuge by taking the guided tram tour or hiking on established trails. Here are some of our favorite places to cool down with a cocktail. Turner Beach is located at Blind Pass right across the bridge from Sanibel. Sanibel and Captiva Island beaches are unique for many reasons. Marco is highly developed and channelized with high rises and wide groomed beaches. Fort Myers is blue collar means that Ft Myers is more lower . There are also a few resorts, inns, and B&B's offering nightly rentals. There are no main roads, so it doesnt get as crowded as you think it would. There isnt a full-on grocery store (The Island Store is the closest it gets), but the shops on the island can get you most, if not all, of your basic needs. Having taken morning runs on both island beaches, Sanibels sand provides a much better surface for runners. Sanibel Island offers very quaint inns, like the Sanibel inn. Mostly boutique shopping. You can park for free here, and you can head to the park during the day for the kids to play before heading to the sand. Two weeks ago, the water was cloudy but this last week with mild winds from the east, the water is crystal clear. Best Florida Gulf Coast Airbnb for Shell . It takes about 20 minutes (without traffic) to travel the length of Sanibel and come to the small bridge over Blind Pass that brings you onto Captiva. Captiva (not South Seas) if you want sunsets, quiet island escape, "get away from it all feel", andmore upscale company. But thats not the only reason Sanibel is busier than Captiva theres just more things to see and do on Sanibel. The water at Sand Key is exactly the same as the water on Clearwater Beach. This post was written before Sanibel, Captiva, and parts of the surrounding area were absolutely blasted by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. As for Captiva Islands beaches, the sand is much more like a pillow-top mattress. Silver Key Beach. Golf cart renters must be 21 years old and have a vaild driver's license. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is very large, about 6,300 acres and occupies of Sanibel Island. On Captiva Island, you can access the several beaches on the island and enjoy the Gulf and Pine Island sound. There are no restrooms on the Sanibel side, but there are restrooms on the Captiva side of the beach. There are several vendors for bike rentals or check with your hotel to find out if they offer bike rentals.
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